Evaluation of Pressure Injury Prevention Compliance and Resource Access in Orthopedic Wards

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 189–197

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000153

Original Research Article

Title: Evaluation of Pressure Injury Prevention Compliance and Resource Access in Orthopedic Wards

Names of Authors: Faith C. Chepngetich¹, Fatoumatta B. Jallow²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
²National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia

Abstract:
Immobilized orthopedic inpatients face elevated risks for pressure injury development, requiring disciplined preventative nursing tracking and structural support devices. This study evaluated nurse compliance rates with standard pressure injury prevention (PIP) guidelines and mapped material resource availability inside public hospital orthopedic units. A facility-based cross-sectional design utilized independent clinical audits across 130 orthopedic beds and surveyed 90 practicing staff nurses. The results showed an overall PIP compliance rate of 43.8%. While skin assessments on admission were common (81.1%), executing the two-hourly turning schedule occurred in only 32.2% of audited files. Severe structural shortfalls were widespread, with 74.4% of nurses reporting an absolute absence of high-specification pressure-redistributing mattresses, and 61.1% citing chronic understaffing as an absolute barrier to safe body turning maneuvers. Logistic regression confirmed that units holding a baseline supply of specialized turning sheets and clear skin safety protocols achieved significantly lower hospital-acquired injury rates (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.42–5.58, p = 0.003). Elevating patient safety indices requires solving acute ward staffing levels and expanding access to specialized positioning resources.

Keywords: Pressure Injury; Orthopedic Nursing; Turning Schedules; Patient Safety; Resource Allocation; Compliance.

Manuscript Timeline: Received July 08, 2026; Revised August 25, 2026; Accepted September 11, 2026; Published September 23, 2026.

Citation: Chepngetich, F. C., & Jallow, F. B. (2026). Evaluation of Pressure Injury Prevention Compliance and Resource Access in Orthopedic Wards. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(9), 189–197. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000153

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